Category: criticism

Da Da Da Duuuuuuum. The entire classical music world is gearing up for Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th anniversary in 2020. We'll hear even more Beethoven than we would in a typical year, which is a feat in and of itself. After considering what's coming, I started imagining what the opposite would be - would it... Continue Reading →

The rumors are true: KC Studio is starting to review a select number of music and dance concerts! After the demise of KCMetropolis and with limited local outlets for criticism, KC Studio acquired funds to support timely, online reviews, joining the theater reviews by Robert Trussell. Please read, share and discuss! A healthy community welcomes... Continue Reading →

Fail better. The arts in Kansas City had a pretty phenomenal year, some huge achievements, some huge, disastrously phenomenal events, but a big impact and plenty of challenges to meet in 2018. We can't overcome the deaths of people important to us, like Michelle Boisseau, but how fortunate for those who knew them and how... Continue Reading →

Of all the disrespectful, small minded... I won't even link to community engagement editor Derek Donovan's "opinion piece," so here's a screen shot of this appalling tweet. Short answer: uh, no? Not at all. Never, nada, nyet. Is this what The Star's arts coverage looks like, now? Geesh. The article has nothing to do, really,... Continue Reading →

The 4th New Dance Partners project at Johnson County Community College; four world premiere works commissioned by the Carlsen Center featuring the best local dance companies and four national-level choreographers. Artistic advisor Michael Uthoff, organized by Emily Berhmann, and funded with local support. This is a notes version response. Störling Dance, performing Heather C. Gray's... Continue Reading →

Our hometown Symphony opened their Classical Series with an all-Russian program: two Russian composers, Russian-born soloist, and an American piece based on extra-musical Russian associations. This is also the fifth season in which a piece by a female composer has not been included in the Classical Series. Since moving to Helzberg Hall, the Classical Series... Continue Reading →

Now, if the Internet doesn't immediately give you everything you ever wanted to know about someone (true or imagined) that's quite the goldmine in the research world. That's when it gets fun. While going through a set of old periodicals for an unbelievably dull, but necessary, task, I came across the 1972 cover for Music... Continue Reading →